Flanked by pastors from the Montgomery, Alabama, area, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey launched a new campaign called Ribbons of Hope, which is intended to encourage Alabamians to tie ribbons around a tree or pole in their front yard. The ribbons are to encourage residents to pray for medical personnel, first responders, and for one another as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Governor Ivey said, “These ribbons will serve as a reminder to the people of our state that we are lifting each other in prayer, and that just like after the great flood in Genesis, we are mindful of the hope and promise of God during this pandemic.”
First Baptist Church Montgomery Pastor Jay Wolf assisted the governor in attaching a red, white and blue ribbon around a tree at the state Capitol during the governor’s announcement this week.
Beasley Allen’s Soo Seok Yang, who also serves as Lay Leader at First Baptist Church Montgomery and who has served as deputy executive director, and then executive director at the Korean American Association of Greater Montgomery for a decade (2010–2019) was proud to be part of the governor’s launch. Soo Seok said, “It was an honor to be a part of this meaningful movement to express our gratitude toward all of the medical personnel and first responders and to remind ourselves to pray for them daily.”
State residents have been sheltering at home after the governor declared a state of public health emergency on March 13 to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. On April 3, Gov. Ivey issued a statewide stay-at-home order that became effective Saturday, April 4, at 5 p.m. and lasts through April 30 at 5 p.m. The order requires Alabama residents to stay at home unless participating in certain activities, including performing essential services, conducting necessary travel, or working for critical infrastructure.
